SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio's Shane Evans, who started one of the largest massage chains in the country right here in San Antonio, went incognito as a masseuse recently for the prime-time reality show “Undercover Boss.”

It should be a kick to watch. As CBS touts in its release, Massage Heights COO Evans had to overcome “her aversion to touching people” while going undercover.

“It was a challenge,” said Evans, who co-founded the chain here with her husband, Wayne Evans, in 2004. For the show, she posed as a massage therapist and aesthetician at facilities in Maryland and Florida, two of nearly 100 Massage Heights locations in the U.S. and Canada.

“I'm a massage junkie and don't have a problem with people touching me,” she said in our phone chat, “but I never did massage therapy in my life or put my hands on someone in that way.”

The hour, which she said is filled with moving and funny moments, airs at 7 p.m. Friday on CBS.

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People who know Evans, who makes her home here with her family, undoubtedly will do a double-take. To keep her identity secret, and discover what really goes on with customers and employees, the brunette donned a red wig and glasses, a frilly pink top, costume jewelry and other uncharacteristic garb.

The once-in-a-lifetime experience enabled her to be a better and more understanding boss, she said.

“Massage Heights is in the business of helping people's lives,” she said. “Therapists make people feel better, through listening and giving the guests what they want.

“I now have a better appreciation of how valuable they are. I realized how privileged we are to be in the healing business,” she said, indicating that she ran the gamut of emotions during her visits — from tears to laughter. “I am a passionate person and a family-oriented person. I was touched by many stories.”

Evans couldn't go undercover effectively in San Antonio, where she co-owns two Massage Heights retreats — in Potranco Village and Stone Oak — and is known well at the other six. However, parts of S.A. will be featured in the show's profile of Evans, her husband and three daughters.

“I wanted to make San Antonio proud,” she said, “and let people know that an international franchise company was founded right here in our city.”

Ellen tops Latifah

KSAT-TV may sit atop the totem pole when it comes to local news, but KENS-TV seems the No. 1 choice for syndicated daytime fare.

According to November Nielsen ratings, Queen Latifah and her new talk show trailed behind more seasoned chat champ Ellen DeGeneres in the 3 p.m. hour.

KENS' passel of game shows — “The Price is Right,” “Let's Make a Deal,” “Jeopardy,” and “Wheel of Fortune” — also were winners in their time slots.

KSAT did have one glorious triumph among syndicated shows airing between 9 a.m. and evening. “Live! With Kelly and Michael” absolutely demolished the competition in the local ratings.

I bet WOAI-TV's kicking itself about now for letting go of the amiable lifestyle show, which continues to charm with the relatively new pairing of Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan.

Congratulations!

Missing KENS' 6 and 10 p.m. co-anchor? Sarah Lucero is at home these days, happily preoccupied with her adorable new baby boy, James Hannon. It's the fourth child for her and hubby Dr. John Calhoon, and she's got her hands full. However, she said “it's nice to be home for the holidays,” and she will stay there through December and most of January. Lucero will be back in her TV seat in plenty of time for February sweeps.

Also: Lift an eggnog cocktail, why don't you, to the 9 p.m. news team at Fox station KABB. The likable anchor team, led by Cynthia Lee, and Michael Valdes, along with the “Street's Corner” feature from consistently amusing J.T. Street, keeps inching up the ratings ladder to secure a solid No. 4 ranking in late local news.

Jeanne Jakle's column appears Wednesdays and Sundays in mySA, and she blogs at Jakle's Jacuzzi on mySA.com. Email her at jjakle@express-news.net.